Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation has committed to achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions of 6 percent below baseline by 2010 as a result of becoming a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). The CCX is a self-regulatory exchange that administers a voluntary, legally binding, program for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions in
"Smurfit-Stone demonstrates environmental responsibility everywhere we operate," said Patrick J. Moore, Smurfit-Stone chairman and chief executive officer. "We intend to be at the forefront of environmental issues. We recognize that environmental compliance and stewardship are critical as we strive to become the safest and most profitable company in our industry, and we are proud to be part of an organization whose members are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making positive contributions to climate change issues."
"Smurfit-Stone is the nation's leading producer of integrated paperboard products and we are proud to welcome them and their contribution to the evolution and development of CCX," said Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of CCX. "CCX membership will help Smurfit-Stone meet its various climate change challenges with maximum cost-effectiveness and environmental benefit."
As a CCX member, Smurfit-Stone has made a voluntary and legally binding commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent below baseline by 2010. The baseline measurement period is the average of the years 1998 to 2001. Verification will be managed by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), which regulates the securities industry including the NASDAQ stock market.
Smurfit-Stone makes wise use of natural resources in all phases of the product cycle. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, an independent forest certification program founded originally by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). Smurfit-Stone adheres to environmental and forestry best management practices, and the company's forest resources group produces approximately 50 million seedlings each year from company-owned nurseries for planting on private and public lands. The company is a member of all state forestry associations where it operates. Through these memberships, Smurfit-Stone supports landowner forums, educational programs, forest management training, and logger training. In addition, the company subscribes to the environmental, health and safety principles of the AF&PA.
Smurfit-Stone is one of the world's largest paper recyclers, having handled more than 6.6 million tons of recycled paper in 2006. The company's own paper mills consumed approximately 44 percent of the fiber reclaimed and brokered by its reclamation operations.
Smurfit-Stone Waste Reduction Services (SWRS) is a full-service waste management business that provides single-source, cost-effective solutions. In addition to streamlining waste management for customers, SWRS annually diverts approximately 560 million cubic feet of waste from landfills. That's enough material to fill the Empire State Building 15 times.
In addition to finding innovative ways to reduce packaging material use, Smurfit-Stone recently developed several environmentally friendly products such as EnviroShell, a clamshell package that is made from 65 percent recycled material and is easy to separate for disposal and recycling purposes.
